Verbal irony occurs when a person says one thing but means another, often the opposite, typically to convey humor or emphasize a point. Here are some examples:
- After a rainstorm: "What lovely weather we're having today!"
- When someone does poorly on a test: "Great job! I’m sure you’ll be a doctor in no time."
- When a friend is late: "Thanks for being on time!"
- Watching someone struggle with a task: "You’re really a natural at that!"
- After a long, exhausting meeting: "I could listen to this all day!"
- When someone makes a silly mistake: "Wow, you’re a real genius!"
- Seeing a messy room: "This place is spotless!"
- After someone tells a boring story: "Wow, that was riveting!"
These examples demonstrate how verbal irony can add humor or emphasis to a conversation by contrasting the literal meaning with the intended meaning.